PUNE, March 19: About 50 activists, belonging to various political parties and social organisations, today courted arrest in front of the municipal corporation, condemning Arun Bhatia's transfer and demanding his reinstatement.The activists, led by socialist leader G P Pradhan, raised slogans `Bring back Bhatia' and `We want Bhatia' and tried to enter the municipal corporation. They were arrested and later taken to Police Ground, Shivajinagar.
Prominent among those arrested include Avinash Dharmadhikari, Sandeep Khardekar, former Lok Sabha member Sambhajirao Kakade, corporator Shantilal Suratwala, communist leader Ajit Abhyankar, Bharatiya Dalit Kobra leader Bhai Chavan. Another group of ten activists, led by M V Akolkar and Ravindra Malvadkar also courted arrested. J V G Nair a senior citizen was also arrested when he raised slogans.
Later addressing the activists, G P Pradhan appreciated the participation of youth in the movement. He said the country had no future if people did not come together setting aside their political commitments. He said the agitation would have to be sustained for a long time since the government was adamant over Bhatia's transfer.
Meanwhile, the activists would try to stop the corporators tomorrow when they would arrive for the mayoral polls to seek their stand on Bhatia's transfer.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.